Job: Medical Transcriptionist (United States)

Words cannot describe the pain I feel right now. New people came aboard, and I was pushed to the side and then out the door. Somethings you expect, but you also expect equality. However, there was clear prejudice here. I no longer wish to transcribe. I want to put all my effort into producing something for the public around the public and being able to greet the public. Behind closed doors a lot of things happen and are said and a lot of things are planned, and sometimes they involve us, we are just not made aware until it is too late. Trust in God.

First of all, you have to have the credentials (i.e. experience and/or degree) to back you up. Then, longevity and loyalty to one company plays an important role. Dedication to your job is another. Before asking for a raise, make sure you are worthy of one. Another important factor is being able to negotiate. Starting at a higher rate, then be willing to work out a compromise and be happy with it. After all, they really don't have to give you a raise at all other than your annual increase.

After 23 years with a large cardiology group in Knoxville (last 3 1/2 years supervising a team of seven) working as a transcriptionist/supervisor I was called to a meeting on Friday morning, told that my job had been dissolved due to new Dictaphone system. They felt the manager of the transcription department would be able to take care of all 30 transcriptionists throughout the company from her office and a supervisor was no longer needed for this team on campus. They told me "business is business and nothing personal". This was done by a newly hired director of something; my immediate supervisor was not even aware he was letting me go. I was offered no severence pay and told I had plenty of PTO built up.

This was very unfair treatment of a good and loyal employee. This was something I saw on TV and thought how cruel for companies to do that to people. But truth is it happens every day. My advice is to be aware that you are just a commodity to most companies and no matter how nice the employers' are their attitude is "business is business" so you must not let something like this get you down. I am taking some time off (luckily I have a good pension plan I can dip into and with paying off some smaller bills can afford to take a lower paying job and find one that I will enjoy and not have to worry about the dollar scale that is attached to it. I still have a meltdown here and there and cry a little, but I know they did me a favor by making me go out and find a job that I will really enjoy instead of staying in a job that just paid the bills and stressed me to the max on a regular basis. Always look at the upside and not the downside and you will do fine. Carla